The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert

I've been doing a terrible job of reviewing books (even though it was a NYE resolution to at least add one sentence per review).

I want to say I found this book really interesting and incredibly well written. I don't agree with everything the author said but I always like looking for new perspectives and enjoyed the nuance she wrote about in various issues. I've since read that she has publicly retracted some of the nuance but I'm rating this book based on JUST the book.

Her description of motherhood also made me cry and overall I thought this was a very good read.

This is simply one of the best books I've read this year – in years, actually. It's billed as her account of her conversion – and after all the articles about/interviews with Butterfield, you might begin to think that there's no point reading it, you already know her story.

But this is about more than just her conversion experience – nothing so limited as that. It's about a conversion that's a complete renovation of a sinner, bringing all her thoughts into subjection of the Scriptures – being transformed by the renewing of her mind. In Luther's terms a lifetime repentance (“When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ‘Repent' (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance. . . it does not mean solely inner repentance; such inner repentance is worthless unless it produces various outward mortification of the flesh.”).

Some of the parts I've seen the most complaints about are just that, strangely enough, while Christians enjoy/appreciate the story of her coming to faith, it's harder to appreciate her working out her faith in fear and trembling. Whether it's about her coming to her convictions about worship, or her work as a foster/adoptive parent, or her husband's pastoral work – it's about the Lord transforming her, renovating her character. As such, her life is an example for all believers.

Beyond that she has some powerful and wise words for how the church ought to treat homosexuals (any unrepentant sinner, really). As well as what she says about her current sins in comparison to her former life. It's powerful, moving, inspiring and convicting stuff.

She has a way with words, and can enthrall her reader even as she's retelling events you know about before starting the book. It's a great book, useful on several levels. May the Lord give us many more Rosaria Champagne Butterfields.